Advertisement

AFIA names former Pet Food Committee leaders as 'Co-Members of the Year'

Jarrod Kersey, Jason Vickers honored at board of directors' meeting on May 14

The American Feed Industry Association named Jarrod Kersey, PhD, Nutro Co., and Jason Vickers, P&G Pet Care, as "Co-Members of the Year," at the board of directors' meeting May 14. Both have provided leadership to AFIA’s Pet Food Committee during the last two years, each serving a term as chair.

Jarrod Kersey is the director of health sciences and regulatory affairs, Mars Petcare US and Nutro Co. He is responsible for the strategic development of the health sciences and regulatory affairs teams for Mars Petcare US, including oversight of the Pet Health and Nutrition Center at the Regional Innovation Center in Thompson’s Station. Kersey developed a category-leading nutritional strategy centered on canine lifestages, breed size and activity levels. Prior to Mars, Kersey was AFIA’s director of state and regulatory affairs, following a seven-year career with P&G Pet Care in various roles related to regulatory sciences.

In 1998, Vickers joined the department of strategic research in the research and development division of the Iams Co. His research focus included the areas of gastrointestinal health, obesity and diabetes as well as the clinical application of innovations within these areas. In 2001, he transferred to the department of regulatory affairs and is currently in the role of section head with responsibilities for North American regulatory compliance.

During their times as chair of the Pet Food Committee, both Vickers and Kersey challenged the committee to be proactive in addressing the topic of petfood safety, helping to form the Pet Food Manufacturing Facility Certification Program. “Pet food safety is a noncompetitive issue. Despite their companies being professional competitors, Jarrod and Jason worked together and led the charge, bringing leadership to the issue,” said Joel G. Newman, president and CEO, AFIA.

August 2017

The August 2017 issue of Petfood Industry explores how the top five pet food companies have faced legal challenges but still increased annual revenues since the last update of the Top Pet Food Companies database.